Coin metering apparatus



y 1966 F. A. BARSOCCHINI 3,251,444

COIN METERING APPARATUS Filed May 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I T'fOI/Vi/July 19, 1966 F. A. BARSOCCHINI 3,261,444

com METERING APPARATUS Filed May 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Femz A. flnesaccm/v/ irraz/vif y 1966 F. A. BARSOCCHINI 3,261,444

COIN METERING APPARATUS Filed May 11, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,zrza-IOINVENTOR. FEA/VL/ 4. fiiiiOdCH/N/ United States Patent 3,261,444 COINMETERING APPARATUS Frank A. Barsocchini, Kentfield, Calif, assignor toService Distributors, Inc., San Francisco, Calif. Filed May 11, 1964,Ser. No. 366,295 14 Claims. (Cl. 194-84) This invention relates to a newand improved coin metering apparatus.

Washing machines, driers, dry cleaning machines, and the like, arefrequently installed in locations Where attendants are not usuallypresent and hence the provision of a coin metering device which isaccurate and which prevents operation of the machine by dishonestpatrons is of considerable importance. The present invention isparticularly suitable in that it provides a single coin metering devicewhich may be selectively, manually-adjusted to select one of a pluralityof machines for use. Thus, in accordance with one form of the inventionhereinafter described in detail, there is provided, preferably at acentral location which is visible from the street or by passersby, aselector-switch whereby the patron may select one of a plurality ofmachines for use, together with a coin slot and coin metering device toenable the patron to insert the required number of coins to start themachine. As a further feature of the invention, such coin meteringapparatus may be so constructed that the patron may install coins formore than one time cycle as desired. This feature of the invention is ofparticular importance with clothes driers where, depending upon the typeof fabric and the amount of moisture present therein, one or more timecycles may be required to complete drying of the clothes. The presentinvention is of great utility in that it satisfies all of the foregoingrequirements and has considerable additional advantages over all coinmetering devices previously used for similar purposes.

A particular advantage of the present invention is the fact that thecoin metering mechanism may be adjusted by an attendant so that it willstart a machine upon deposit of either a single coin or any desiredplurality of coins and that by'simple adjustment of the device thenumber of coins require-d for such purpose may be altered. Assuming thatthe coin slot is selected of such dimension that it will accept aIO-cent piece, the mechanism hereinafter described has removable pins inits construction which may be added or removed so that the machinestarts after the deposit of one, two or three dimes as desired. Theadjustment heretofore mentioned may be made at the site of the machinesand does not require removing the device or any portion thereof forservicing at a central servicing center or repair shop. The alterationmay be made by relatively unskilled labor and without the use of specialtools or equipment.

A further advantage of the invention is the fact that the apparatus isvery simple in operation and consists of a few parts which are of ruggedconstruction resulting in a device which is inexpensive to produce,maintain and repair.

Still another feature of the invention is the fact that means isprovided so that a dishonest patron cannot actuate the timer mechanismand then by manipulation of the device obtain a return of one or morecoins. Further, means is provided to prevent intentional orunintentional vibration of the machine which would result in advancingthe coin device so that fewer coins than the desired number energize themachine. Another advantage of the invention is the fact that provisionis made whereby a dishonest patron cannot by manipulation of theswitches energize a plurality of machines upon deposit of coinssufficient to start a single machine. Provision is also made so thatcoins smaller than the coin to be used as a basis for energization ofthe machine are rejected and coins larger than such desired coin are notaccepted by the device.

A particular advantage of the present invention is the fact that thepoint at which the coins are deposited may be located centrally andremote from the individual machine to be controlled thereby, thiscentral point being more readily visible and hence dishonest patrons aremore likely to be detected.

A still further advantage of the invention is that there is nomechanical connection between the coin mechanism and the timer for themachine. It will be understood that such timers are quite delicate andwhen abused are quite likely to become inaccurate or inoperative. Theabsence of mechanical connection between the coin deposit mechanism andthe timer reduces the mechanical shock and wear which tends to harm theswitches, timers, and relays which are used on the individual machines.No matter how the patron abuses the coin deposit mechanism, damage tothe timer is avoided.

A still further feature of the invention is the elimination ofelectrical relays in the circuitry whereby the coin mechanism controlsactuation of the individual machine. Such relays, particularly in thedamp atmosphere in which washing machines are usually installed, tend tocreate service problems which are largely eliminated by reason of theinstallation of the invention hereinafter described.

Another feature of the coin deposit mechanism hereinafter described isthe fact that the coin itself is the mechanical connection between theturning knob which the patron turns after depositing the coin and thecam which energizes a switch. The switch is connected to a solenoid atthe individual machine selected which solenoid is energized upon turningof the control knob. The solenoid is so connected into the timingmechanism of the individual machine that only after the machine isactuated does the coin drop out of its holder and into the coin depositbox.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision in onepreferred form of the invention of a knob which may be turned manuallyto select one of a plurality of machines for operation. Thus, asherein'illustrated in detail, there is provided a knob which may beturned so that the coins deposited will energize either a washingmachine or a drier, depending upon the position of the knob. Further,there is an interlock which mechanically prevents the knob from beingturned after the initiation of the coin deposit and metering thereof.This feature prevents a dishonest patron from rapidly manipulating theselector switch so that a single coin will energize both the washingmachine and the drier.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon readingthe following specification and referring to the accompanying drawingsin which similar characters of reference represent corresponding partsin each of the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the exterior of a coin box in which thepresent invention is installed.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 33 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively transverse sectional views takensubstantially along the lines 55 and 66 respectively of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view through the selector knob andassociated parts.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the parts in a differentposition, namely with the turntable rotated counterclockwise to aboutits position of maximum movement.

FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. showing the device in the sameposition as in FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially along theline 1111 of FIG. 9.

In the apparatus which is the subject of this invention, there is a coinbox A provided with a selector-switch whereby the deposit of a coin orcoins may be arranged to actuate one of a plurality of machines locatedpreferably remote from the coin box. Thus assuming the invention isinstalled in a laundry room of an apartment house or the like, thepatron selects a particular machine (either a washing machine or adrier) for deposit of clothes and thereupon sets the selector-switch forconnection with that particular machine. Thereupon, the patron depositsin a coin deposit mechanism B, installed in coin box A, one or morecoins which have been predetermined as required to actuate the machinefor a cycle. Deposit of the coins actuates either a drier-type switchmechanism or a washer-type switch mechanism as is illustrated inassignees copending application No. 276,514, now Patent No. 3,221,862,located at the respective machine selected, which starts operation ofthat machine.

For convenience, the following specification of the invention is dividedinto sections.

A. Coin b0x.Coin box 21 is suitably, permanentlymounted in the room inwhich a plurality of machines, such as a washing machine and a drier,are located. The coin box 21 has four enclosed sides 22 and a closedbottom (not shown). Interiorly of box 21 is a coin receptacle 23 intowhich coins drop after passing through the coin metering apparatus, saidreceptacle having an upwardly-extending, inwardly-turned lip 24positioned adjacent the top of the box. A removable lid 26 closes offthe top of the box, said lid having a groove 27 which receives lip 24when the lid is in position. Lock 28 in the cover 26 is provided with acam 29 which is eccentric. Eccentric 29 controls horizontalreciprocation of bolt 31 which is held for reciprocation by guides 32 onthe underside of lid 26. The end 33 of bolt 31 when the bolt isprojected in the position best shown in FIG. 6 extends into a latchreceiver 34 fixed to one side 22 of the coin box. When the end 33 issecured in the receiver 34, the lid 26 cannot be removed. When the lock28 is turned so that eccentric 29 is in the opposite position, the latchbolt 31 is retracted and the lid can be removed. Also located on lid 26is a selector knob 36 having an inwardly-extending shaft 37. Shaft 37 isformed withindentation 38 which receives ball 39 biased by spring 41 inbox 42 on the underside of cover 26. The lower end 43 of shaft 37 is ofreduced size so that knob 36 can be turned only in certain positions ofthe mechanism as hereinafter described. The lower end 44 of shaft 37cooperates with one or more switches (hereinafter described in detail)so that by adjustment of the position of knob 36 one of a plurality ofmachines may be actuated. Pointer 46 or other means on lid 26 indicatesthe position of knob 36 to indicate to the user the proper position ofadjustment.

Also on lid 26 is a coin deposit slot 47 into which one or more coinsmay be deposited. Adjacent slot 47 is a knob 48 used to actuate the coinmetering mechanism as hereinafter explained,

The patron thus turns knob 36 to the desired position in conjunctionwith pointer 46 to actuate the machine desired and then places theproper number of coins in slot 47 and turns the knob 38 after each coindeposited. Deposit of the proper number of coins in a particular machineselected energizes either a washer or a drier and may energize the drierfor a plurality of cycles if the proper number of coins has beendeposited.

B. Coin deposit mechanism.Slot 47 has a length and a width to acceptcoins no larger than a predetermined size, here assumed to be a UnitedStates lO-cent piece. By changing the dimensions of slot 47 the devicemay be adapted to receive coins of other denominations. From time totime it is desirable to adjust the machine so that it will operate onone lO-cent piece, two IO-cent pieces, or three lO-cent pieces, and itis a feature and advantage of the invention that this adjustment may bemade rapidly by unskilled workmen in the field.

Control knob 48 is manually-actuated by turning in a clockwise directionas viewed in FIG. 1 through an angular travel of approximately Knob 48has a spindle 51 which projects interiorly of lid 26 and carriesturntable 52 fixed thereto by means of setscrew 53. A garter spring 54is fixed by means of pin 56 at one end to the underside of lid 26 and bymeans of screw 53 at its other end to spindle 51. The function of spring54 is to return knob 48 and turntable 52 to starting position-i.e., thatshown in FIGS. 2 and 5. Turntable 52 turns to an angle of 120", saidangle being limited by reason of upward projections 57, 57a on turntable52 with approximately 120 arcuate space therebetween. A projection 58 onbolt 31 is engaged by a resilient snubber 59 on projection 57 to limitmovement in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5 (counterclockwiseas viewed in FIG. 1) when snubber 59 engages one side of projection 58of bolt 31. As viewed in FIG. 10, projection 57a engages the other sideof projection 58 to limit opposite turning movement of turntable 52. Theposition of snubber 59 is such that slot 66 in turntable 52 is directlyunder slot 47 (see FIG. 3) so that coin 65 dropped through slot 47 fallsdirectly into slot 66. In the opposite limit of movement of turntable52, slot 66 is directly over chute 61 leading into coin receiver 23.

The inner edge of coin slot 66 is obstructed by member 62 pivoted to theunderside of turntable 52 by means of pivot screw 63 and biased to aposition partially obstructing slot 66 by means of spring 64 whichpasses around screw 63 and at one end bears against projection 67 and atthe other end against upstanding projection 68 on table 52. Screw 63 maypass through any of several holes 69 in member 62 to adjust fordifferent dimensions of coins. In its normal position, the edge ofmember 62 catches the coin 65 in slot 66 and prevents it from droppingout of the slot as is best shown in FIG. 3. However, as turntable 52approaches the maximum of its movement as shown in FIG. 10, edge 68 ofmember 62 contacts the angularly offset end 71 of member 72 which isheld on an extension 73 of lid 26 by screws 74. This pivots member 62out of the way as slot 66 approaches coin chute 61 and permits the cointo drop out. Return movement of member 62 to its initial position islimited by member 76 on turntable 52 which is adjustable by means ofelongated slot 77 and screw 78 which holds the member 76 in place toadjust for different diameters of coin 65.

To prevent a dishonest patron from manipulating the device to energizethe coin mechanism and return the coin, a stepped pivoted lever 81 ispivoted by means of screw 82 to the underside of lid 26 and is biased toinward position shown in the drawings by spring 83. As the coin carriedin slot 66 passes lever 81 in a counter-clockwise position as shown inFIGS. 5 and 10, lever 81 pivots in a clockwise direction and thenreturns to initial position under the action of spring 83, therebyblocking return movement of the coin when turntable 52 returns to itsinitial position. The inner end of lever 81 positions coin 75 directlyover chute 61.

Below turntable 52 is a mounting plate 86 disposed in box 21. Plate 86is below chute 61 so as not to interfere with coins dropping fromturntable 52. Mounted for rotation in plate 86 in alignment with spindle51 is a stub shaft 88 which carries above plate 86 a rotor 89. Formed inthe periphery of rotor 89 are three threaded holes 91 slanted upwardlyand outwardly to receive drive pins 92. (The number of holes 91 and pins92 is subject to some variation, but is convenient for manipulation ofknob 48 through 120.)

As best shown in FIG. 3, when a coin 65 is in slot 66 and turntable 52is turned by turning knob 48, the lower edge of the coin 65 contacts apin 92 and turns shaft 88 so long as the coin 65 remains in place.

Mounted on shaft 88 below plate 86 is a cam 96 held in place by setscrew90. Cam 96 is polygonal with corners 95, there being three corners hereillustrated.

Mounted on the underside of plate 86 is a microswitch 111 having anactuating stem 112 which closes the switch upon inward flexing of spring113, which is the actuating arm of the switch 111. The normal positionof spring 113 is shown in solid lines in FIG. 9. Spring 113 has areversely bent outer end with an offset terminus 114 which normallyprotrudes into the circular path of corners 95. Each time cam 96 isturned 120, as it reaches the limit of turning movement, terminus 114 isengaged by a corner 95 and bent to the dot-andrlash line position ofFIG. 6. After corner 95 has moved beyond terminus 114, spring 113springs to the solid line position of FIG. 6 (dot-anddash position ofFIG. 9), which depresses stem 112 and momentarily actuates switch 111.The coin then drops out of slot 66, the patron releases knob 48 andspring 54 returns turntable 52 to original position.

The number of pins 92 may be increased or decreased and cams 96 of moreor less corners 95 may be substituted.

If three pins 92 are used and cam 96 has a single corner 95 projectingto engage terminus 114, three coin deposits will be required to closeswitch 111.

If four pins 92 are used and cam 96 has two corners 95, two coins arerequired.

If three pins 92 are used and three corners 95 on cam 96, a single coinis required.

When switch 111 is closed it energizes a solenoid (not shown) on thepre-selected machine and this starts the machine for a cycle.

A feature of the present invention is the fact that one of severalmachines may be energized. One means of accomplishing this result hereinillustrated is by means of selector knob 36. Turntable 52 has a cutout116 along its edge. When this cutout 116 is positioned in proximity toshaft 37 attached to knob 36, by reason of the thin shape 43 of shaft37, knob 36 may be turned. However, at any other position of turntable52, the flattened portion 43 of shaft 37 prevents turning of knob 36.The juxtaposition of cutout 116 to shaft 37 occurs only when theturntable 52 is in its initial position and hence once the turntablebegins its turning of movement it is impossible to change the positionof the selector knob 36.

The lower end 44 of shaft 37 is actually cam-shaped and in one positionof the knob 36 (namely that shown in FIG. 7) cam 44 engages pin 117 onswitch 118 and closes same. When switch 118 is closed, one of themachines actuated by the device (e.g., a drier) is energized each timethe switch 111 is closed. When the knob 36 is turned to its oppositeposition, switch 118 is opened and thereupon each time switch 111 isclosed another machine is energized.

It will readily occur to one skilled in the art that instead of twomachines in the system of selection a greater number can be connected.

Operation of machine is as follows:

Assuming that the machine is set to energize either a washer or a drierdepending upon the position of knob 36 and the opening or closing ofswitch 118 upon deposit of three coins, three pins 92 are placed inholes 91 spaced 120 apart. Deposit of the first coin in slot 47 and itsdropping into slot 66 enables the patron to twist knob 27 through 120 oftravel or until projection 57a engages projection 58. Each twistingmovement of turntable 52 causes the bottom edge of coin 65 which isretained in slot 66 by member 62 to contact the nearest pin 92 therebyturning rotor 89 and cam 96 through an angular travel of 120. When thecoin 65 is over chute 61, member 62 engages projection 72 and is pivotedso that it no longer obstructs slot 66 whereupon the coin drops downinto chute 61 and hence into coin receiver 23. Spring 54 returns knob 48to its original position but this does not cause a return movement ofrotor 89 because there is no direct connection between turntable 52 androtor 89 in the absence of a coin in slot 66.

If there are three corners in cam 96, switch 111 is closed each time acoin 65 is deposited and knob 48 turned If there is a single corner 95on cam 96, switch 111 is closed only on the deposit of every third coin.It will be understood that use of rotors 89 with different numbers ofpins 92 and different cams 96 with different numbers of corners 95permit combinations whereby different numbers of coins are required toclose switch 111.

What is claimed is:

1. In a coin metering device, a shaft, means forming a coin-receivingfirst slot, a manually rotatable turntable formed with a second slot,means mounting said turntable for rotation concentric with said shaftbetween a first position with said slots substantially verticallyaligned and a second position, a rotor on said shaft, means mountingsaid rotor for rotation concentric with said shaft, at least onecoin-engaging point on said rotor positioned below said turntable andarranged to fit ahead of a coin held in said second slot in thedirection of movement of said turntable from first to second positionsand to be engaged by a coin turned with said turntable to turn saidrotor, a cam rotatable with said shaft, said cam having at least oneprojection, a switch, a switch arm actuating said switch and projectinginto the path of rotation of said projection, whereby upon rotation ofsaid turntable with a coin in said second slot from first to secondposition, said projection closes said switch, a timer motor controlledby said switch, said timer motor located remote from said shaft andmechanically independent of rotation of said shaft, and means fordischarging a coin from said second slot in second position of saidturntable.

2. A device acconding to claim 1, in which said cam is replaceable withanother cam with a different number of projections.

3. A device according to claim 1, which said lastmentioned meanscomprises a first member pivotally mounted on said turntable andpartially blocking said second slot to retain a coin in said second slotand second member stationarily mounted to engage said first member assaid turntable reaches second position to move said first member awayfrom said second slot.

4. A device according to claim 3, in which said first member isadjustable relative to said turntable to accommodate in said second slotcoins of different sizes.

5. A device according to claim 1, which further comprises a leverpivotally mounted and extending into the path of a coin carried in saidsecond slot and arranged to be pivoted out of said path as saidturntable approaches second position, resilient means biasing said leverback into said path to hold said lever in said path to prevent return ofsaid turntable from second to first position with a coin in said secondslot.

6. A device according to claim 5, which further comprises a coin chutepositioned to receive a coin from said second slot when said turntableis in second position, said lever being dimensioned and positioned toposition a coin in said second slot over said chute when said resilientmeans biases said lever back into said path.

7. A device according to claim 1, in which said projection issubstantially perpendicular to the plane of rotation of said coin.

8. A device according to claim 1, in which said cam is formed with aplurality of points and in which said switch arm is resilient andmounted adjacent said cam positioned to be flexed by each said point assaid turntable approaches second position and to rebound to close saidswitch, whereby closing of said switch is momentary for each contact ofsaid projection with said switch arm.

9. A device according to claim 1, which further comprises a selectorswitch in series with said first mentioned switch.

10. A device according to claim 9, which further comprises an interlockbetween said turntable and said selector switch whereby said selectorswitch is restrained against movement when said turntable is adjacentsecond position.

11. A device according to claim 9, in which said turntable is formedwith a cutout and said selector switch has a stern shaped so thatselector switch can be turned only when said cutout is adjacent saidstem, said cutout located so that turning of said selector switch isrestrained when said turntable is adjacent second position.

12. A device according to claim 1, which further comprises a meter boxsurrounding said device, a lid for said box, a latch bar reciprocable onsaid lid and operable to secure said lid on said box, an abutment onsaid latch bar, and means on said turntable cooperable with saidabutment to limit movement of said turntable between first and secondpositions.

13. A .device according to claim 12, which further comprises a coinreceptacle inside said box formed with an inturned lip, said lid for-medwith a groove to receive said lip, said groove at an end of said lidopposite said latch bar.

14. A device according to claim 13, which further comprises a lockrestraining reciprocation of said latch bar to lock said lid on said boxand said coin receptacle relative to said lid within said box.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS RAPHAEL M. LUPO,Primary Examiner.

20 STANLEY H. TOLLBERG, Examiner.

1. IN A COIN METERING DEVICE, A SHAFT, MEANS FORMING A COIN-RECEIVINGFIRST SLOT, A MANUALLY ROTATABLE TURNTABLE FORMED WITH A SECOND SLOT,MEANS MOUNTING SAID TURNTABLE FOR ROTATION CONCENTRIC WITH SAID SHAFTBETWEEN A FIRST POSITION WITH SAID SLOTS SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLYALIGNED AND A SECOND POSITION, A ROTOR ON SAID SHAFT, MEANS MOUNTINGSAID ROTOR FOR ROTATION CONCENTRIC WITH SAID SHAFT, AT LEAST ONECOIN-ENGAGING POINT ON SAID ROTOR POSITIONED BELOW SAID TURNTABLE ANDARRANGED TO FIT AHEAD OF A COIN HELD IN SAID SECOND SLOT IN THEDIRECTION OF MOVEMENT OF SAID TURNTABLE FROM FIRST TO SECOND POSITIONSAND TO BE ENGAGED BY A COIN TURNED WITH SAID TURNTABLE TO TURN SAIDROTOR, A CAM ROTATABLE WITH SAID SHAFT, SAID CAM HAVING